income levels by the creation and/or preservation of
housing units.
Objective 3.1.1: To upgrade the quality of existing housing and assure that new construction is of the highest possible quality while supporting the position that the city’s housing supply will be principally provided by the private sector.
Policy 3.1.1.1: Strict enforcement of the Florida Building Code, standard housing code and other applicable codes shall continue.
Policy 3.1.1.2: Conservation and rehabilitation of housing stock shall be guided by recommendations contained in planning and housing studies prepared for redevelopment areas, historic surveys, and other appropriate documentation.
Policy 3.1.1.3: The City shall support the location of housing assistance for very low, low, and moderate income households, consistent with applicable zoning land development regulations, and the scale of existing development, with emphasis on expanding opportunities within the existing community and housing stock rather then construction of new, large scale multi-family developments.
Policy 3.1.1.4: The City shall take strict enforcement measures to eliminate overcrowded housing conditions.
Objective 3.1.2: To encourage the use of “traditional” single-family housing while allowing flexibility in zoning regulations in order to achieve a diverse housing supply.
Policy 3.1.2.1: Amendments to the zoning ordinance and other development regulations shall retain principles and criteria for guiding the location of adult congregate living facilities, group homes, housing for low and moderate income households, mobile homes, and foster homes in a manner consistent with State laws and more explicitly in conformity with Florida Statutes.
Policy 3.1.2.2: The City shall permit increased densities and/or a decrease of living area requirements for innovating designs of up to 15 percent in order to promote affordable housing projects. The increased densities and/or decreased living area requirements shall only be awarded to developments where the housing costs do not exceed 140% of the County’s median income for a family of four, times 2.5 for each single family dwelling, plus meeting one or more of the following general affordability guidelines:
1. The project shall provide permanent mortgage financing of 90% or greater.
2. The project is a public/private partnership sponsored development.
3. Mortgagee income qualifications shall not exceed 140% of the most current Palm Beach County median family income for a family of four, with this condition being mandatory.
4. In order to maintain affordability an anti-speculation clause shall be inserted in the deed for the first 2, but preferably 5 years, which provides for appreciation participation and the subsequent purchaser meeting condition 3 above.
5. In order to ensure adequate sites for affordable housing, the City shall establish and implement an Affordable Housing Program that will identify and acquire sites through public- private partnerships, CDBG funding, judicial foreclosure stock, and utilizing rehabilitated housing stock with the goals of:
a. Providing assistance for working individuals and current renters to become property owners of standardized housing stock identified throughout the City;
b. Providing assistance in the transition of residents in substandard living conditions to standardized housing stock identified throughout the City;
c. Providing assistance with affordable housing options to elderly and physically challenged persons.
Developments utilizing these incentives shall be allowed in all residential areas and can be undertaken as a Planned Development
District, as provided for in the Land Development Regulations, regardless of size.
Policy 3.1.2.3 The City may as a part of its efforts to establish programs to ensure the construction of affordable and work force housing establish a fund for such purposes. These funds will be developed through the use of a formula developed as a part of the Land Development Regulations and utilized for the purposes of acquiring sites, rehabilitating housing stock, and constructing new affordable dwelling units throughout the City. The mechanism for generating funds earmarked for the Affordable Housing Fund shall be:
a. Payment-in-lieu contributions b. Land donation within the City c. Off-site construction of units d. Purchases of existing market rate units to be donated to the City or sold to eligible households e. CDBG funding f. Purchase assistance loan programs g. Tax-Incentive public-private partnerships
Policy 3.1.2.4 The City may choose to require developers of new developments to contribute a fee-in-lieu of units. The sum amount of this fee shall be established by the City Commission and Planning and Zoning Board, and it shall be paid to the City’s affordable housing program to finance land acquisition, homeowner assistance, or other actions to further the City’s affordable housing objectives as specified in the Comprehensive Plan. Set aside at least 10% of their development for occupancy by households of low income (more than 50 per cent but less than or equal to 80 per cent of the County’s median annual adjusted gross income) households, and 10 per cent for moderate income (more than 80 per cent but less than or equal to140 per cent of the
County’s median annual adjusted gross income) households. Units meeting this requirement shall include no more than 40 per cent renter occupied units for low income and very low income
households and no more than 30 per cent renter occupied units for moderate income households. The remaining units must be owner occupied. The renter occupied units must continue to be attainable for a period of at least 20 years, and the owner occupied units must continue to be attainable for a period of at least 10 years.
Objective 3.1.3: To foster the development of a strong non-profit housing sector, to meet the needs of very low and low income groups.
Policy 3.1.3.1: Support the efforts of housing providers by endorsing their application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or other funding agencies.
Policy 3.1.3.2: Citizens shall be involved when possible in the development of housing programs and planning for housing needs.
Objective 3.1.4: To encourage financial programs that expand housing opportunities in new housing construction and housing rehabilitation for very low, low, and moderate income households in a manner consistent with the community scale and character.
Policy 3.1.4.1: The City shall implement activities for improving coordination among participants in the delivery of housing within the City. Appropriate areas for City involvement should include partnerships with private firms and non-profit agencies, or other government agencies.
Objective 3.1.5: To optimize the use of state and federal housing and community development programs to meet the needs of very low, low, and moderate income households in the community.
Policy 3.1.5.1: Federal, state, and county programs for providing housing shall be utilized, as necessary as a means to assure a full range of housing opportunities is available for City residents.
Policy 3.1.5.2: By December, 2011, the City shall conduct a comprehensive study to optimize the use of state, federal housing and community development programs.
Objective 3.1.6: The City shall support policies which provide for suitable housing for households in the same or similar neighborhoods which will be directly displaced through public action.
Policy 3.1.6.1: Where Federal funding is utilized, Federal housing relocation guidelines shall be employed and shall be consistent with Florida Statutes. In such instances where City funds are utilized, the City shall locate comparable standard housing in the same or comparable neighborhood in the City for the displaced persons and in addition, pay all direct costs of the move.
Objective 3.1.7: To continue to formulate appropriate housing implementation programs as part of the ongoing planning and management activities of the City.
Policy 3.1.7.1: The regulatory environment and permitting procedures for housing may be reviewed as needed, as part of the continuing City planning effort. Improvements to the efficient operating of City processes regarding housing which is identified as needed will be implemented through the City’s LDRs.